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Sept 5 Reuters European stocks were flat on Thursday as gains in utilities were offset by losses in miners, while investors awaited more economic data from the euro zone and the United States to gauge the outlook for global interest rates.

The panEuropean STOXX 600 index was flat, with miners down as prices of most metals fell on dim demand outlook following the recent weak economic data globally, including in top consumer China.

As global manufacturing continues to cook on a low flame and with a slowerthanexpected recovery in China Chemicals and Basic Resources leave a bland taste, said strategists at Deutsche Bank Research.

Ratesensitive sectors utilities and real estate were the top gainers with a nearly 1 rise after weak U.S. data on Wednesday bolstered the case for policy easing by the Federal Reserve.

German industrial orders rose in July by 2.9 on the previous month on a seasonally and calendar adjusted basis, versus a Reuters poll of analysts that predicted a fall of 1.5. Germany39;s benchmark DAX index was up 0.3.

Investors will now shift focus to euro zone39;s retail sales figures at 0900 GMT and U.S. labor market data around 1230 GMT that could help investors recalibrate their interest rate expectations.

The main event for the week, however, will be the nonfarm payrolls data on Friday that has kept investors on the edge as it could provide…